Banks: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 07:30 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; 07:30 to 11:00, Saturday
Government Offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 08:00 to 12:15 and 13:30 to 18:30, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 16:00, Saturday; 11:00 to 16:00, Sunday - major shops

Levels of crime anywhere in Switzerland, bar Zurich, are very low, and Interlaken is one of the safest large cities in the country. The main threat is from skiers damaging themselves on the slopes and hikers falling, while high altitude sun causes skin to burn faster than at sea level.

220V, 50Hz – twin round-pin sockets (European plug)

Interlaken ranks with the rest of Switzerland for its health and cleanliness and its hospitals are A1. Tap and water fountain water is potable, unless it says otherwise, ‘Kein Trinkwasser’, and quality of food in Interlaken restaurants is excellent. Taking out travel insurance and ensuring your policy covers for accidents should you be taking part in adventure sports is a must.

Emergency services: 144

German is the main tongue in central Switzerland although you will also hear French and Italian while out and about. English is also widely spoken and understood in tourism circles.

Switzerland is not part of the EU and retains its currency, the Swiss franc (CHF), where CHF1 is equal to 100 centimes (100 rappen).

Visitors from many European countries are allowed to bring in the following amounts of duty-free merchandise: 200 cigarettes, or 250g of tobacco, or 50 cigars; 2 litres of alcohol (up to 15 per cent volume) and 1 litre (over 15 per cent volume); and gifts to the value of CHF300. Visitors from outside the EU can bring in double the quantity of cigarettes or tobacco.

The Swiss are on par with the Germans as to their formality although Interlaken is very laid back and you will have no problems wearing casual clothes. The people here are friendly and most speak English as a second language. Posh restaurants and hotels may require a jacket and tie for formal evenings, while service charges at restaurants are the norm and thus tipping is not required.

Visitors from most EU countries (including the UK and Ireland) do not need a visa to enter Switzerland. Citizens of the USA also don’t need visas if staying for less than three months, while other nationals should apply at Swiss embassies and consulates in their country. Passports should be valid six months past the date of exit. EU citizens with ID cards can simply use them instead of passports.

The Tourism Organization of Interlaken can be found in the Hotel Metropole at Höheweg 37 and is open seven days a week in the summer – six days at other times. Phone: +33 826 5300.